by Murray Lunn

Created on: September 01, 2010

Businesses and people alike that have an online presence do not necessarily have an online brand. An online brand is one which creates authoritative influence within a particular niche and allows businesses and people to amass loyal followers. To build an online brand, use the following methods to stand out from the rest of the crowd and claim your own authority.

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1. Build an online location

Branding details the use of content, voice and personal experience within a chosen niche; the easiest way to build a brand is through owning a website or blog. Having your own online location will help you collect your content and overall appearance while simultaneously giving people a place to come find you.

2. Participate in social media

Established brands had the benefit of the doubt about their authority due to many years of marketing offline but in today's world the fastest path to build a brand is through social media. Social media is an active discussion participated by millions of people around the world. When you are active and create influence through the discussions, content and opinions you share you'll begin to stick to the minds of those individuals.

3. Making a name for yourself

On a website or by what you go by, simple keywords for your domain name and personal handle won't cut it because it's not a name people frequently remember. Branding details picking a unique name which sets you apart from others. Think of it in terms of "find-ability"; you want to create a name which people remember and will actively search for it without randomly stumbling by it.

4. Social proof

When building an online brand, you must display your social proof. If you claim to amass riches online, own a business or declare yourself an expert within a niche others will want to see what proof you have to back your claims. Using your resources, show how you've carved out an area within your niche and solidify the position by gaining testimonials, traffic screenshots, income reports and case studies.

5. Do or create something great

The single most influential way to build an online brand is by doing something or creating something great. The web has millions of pages; average content becomes mixed into this ocean of information and becomes just another thing to view. However, when you create or do something great you'll be remember and build authority as your brand creates buzz around everything you do.

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